What's been the best thing about your Tufts experience?

Colleges & Universities Tufts University
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<p>Well, I just got back from the Senior Dinner at Gifford House (the university president’s residence) and at the end, alums and current seniors go up to the podium and give a response to President Bacow’s prompt: “If you were stopped by a tour of prospective students to Tufts, and were asked what was the best, most special thing about your time at Tufts, what would you say?”</p>

<p>OK, it’s no secret on these CC boards that I love Tufts. But I just couldn’t make it up there because I was already tearing at the alumna who graduated 25 years ago talking about her special experience… (I cry at commercials, it’s very pathetic), but I thought it might be nice to start a thread with this topic on the CC boards so that real, and not just hypothetical, prospective students can read it.</p>

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<p>Here goes mine:</p>

<p>Ever since I was very young, I thought I would be a writer. I can’t even remember how many times I handed a story (illustrations et al) to my mother and said: “Here, send it to the publisher.” I wrote, wrote, wrote and it began to define my life in most every way. </p>

<p>One day, in the seventh grade, Mr. Davis asked our English class to write a story. I did, and mine was a 70-page single-spaced typed novella. It was (and still is!) the longest thing I have ever written. My parents loved it; I was so proud. When I finally got it back, about 3 weeks later (it seemed like forever), there was a big red “A” on top. Pleased, I flipped through the pages, and saw some markings and suggestions on the first few sheets… and then no more. Mr. Davis hadn’t read it. </p>

<p>I felt so silly. Who did I think I was? Flaubert? [That, of course, is an anachronism: I had no idea who Flaubert was when I was 12.] I didn’t write fiction for a very long time after that; I stuck to my whiny teenaged journals for quite a while.</p>

<p>It was here on The Hill that a professor encouraged me to write creative fiction again; he believed in me, encouraged me, and gave me the constructive criticism and support that I had lacked throughout those years since Mr. Davis. </p>

<p>I’ll be receiving an endowed award for outstanding creativing writing (fiction) at graduation this year. And I would never have written again – I would not have re-discovered this very important part of myself! – had it not been for that English professor and, of course, Tufts. It may very well define all my years to come.</p>

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<p>Lolabelle, who was your professor at Tufts who inspired you?</p>

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<p>Dsiw: See PM.</p>

<p>In the meantime, let’s add to the thread, alums and current students alike!</p>

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<p>I have one, but I don’t know that I could do justice to the professor. This professor opened the path for me and I don’t know that I have the strength to walk it. I’m scared of what I WON’T do to be honest.</p>

<p>I’ll have to think more about this…eh, PM me if you’re interested. I don’t know if I want to open it all up here.</p>

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<p>Congratulations, lolabelle!
It must be great to receive recognition for doing something you love. And thanks also for all the help you’ve provided here on CC. If Tufts staff knew how many inquiries you and the other ‘regulars’ here have fielded, they’d probably be handing out more awards!</p>

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<p>Hey Lspf72, no problem! It’s my pleasure, I’ve loved my experience here and want to make sure I can help other people get here as well! I’ll be interviewing kids starting this year, after I graduate in May which I am nerdily excited about.</p>

<p>BUUUMPPP This thread — let’s get some feedback here! Gojumbos? Bluirinka? Sam? Athena? Where is everyone?!</p>

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<p>I’m flattered, but I’m just a freshman, so I don’t think I could come up with anything just yet. I am having a fantastic time, though! I love my classes, I found a great job on campus, and there’s social/extracurricular stuff, too…I’ll let you know in a few years.</p>

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<p>The people I have met here have defined what I will do for the rest of my life. </p>

<p>One example: A professor has made me passionate about health policy, and this has defined the way I have framed my job search. I am now juggling three job offers from major foundations to work in their HIV/AIDS initiatives offices. It seems like a great way to fuse my IR major and pre-med track. I don’t want to go straight to med school, as I am not sure yet if I want to get an MD or an MPH. Thank you to the professor who helped me find this path!</p>

<p>Another example: My friends here are the most incredible lot of guys (and girls!) I know. They are passionate, committed, intelligent, well-read, well-traveled, and hilarious. I can’t imagine having met such people anywhere else. I am so glad Tufts brought us together not just for four years, but for what will surely be lifelong friendships.</p>